Homemade Taco Seasoning

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Make this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe in minutes with just a handful of common pantry spices. It’s cheaper and tastier than store-bought taco seasoning, and you can easily customize it any way you want to.

Taco seasoning in a glass jar with a blue napkin around it.


 

This easy homemade taco seasoning mix is just 5 ingredients plus salt, and the spices are pretty common and easy to find (hopefully in the back of your pantry). 2 tablespoons of this mix replaces one packet of taco seasoning from the store and is enough for one pound of ground meat of your choice.

My personal taco blend doesn’t contain garlic powder or onion powder because I like to add those ingredients fresh to individual recipes. I use fresh onions and garlic in my taco meat because I like the flavor better. DIY taco seasoning isn’t just about eliminating unnecessary sodium and preservatives from your recipes; it’s about making the best blend to truly elevate your food.

Having said that, any recipe is always a jumping-off point for negotiations. You should feel free to add garlic powder or onion powder to your own taco seasoning mixture, or anything else that sounds good to you. You are the executive chef of your own kitchen!

Recipe ingredients

Labeled taco seasoning ingredients on a white plate.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Cayenne pepper: Feel free to eliminate this if you don’t like spice or are feeding children. Increase it if you crave the heat! Or substitute red pepper flakes.
  • Cornstarch: This is a gluten-free thickening agent found in many store-bought packets. It’s optional here, so add it if you want to.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. In a small bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste (I like 2 teaspoons). Whisk in cornstarch if desired. Store in a cool dark place for up to 6 months.
  2. To make tacos, stir in 2 tablespoons of seasoning for every pound of ground beef or other ground meat. 2 tablespoons of seasoning is equivalent to one packet of store-bought.
A plate of ground chicken tacos.
These easy Ground Chicken Tacos are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and perfect for hectic weeknights. They are also lightning fast, ready in about 15 minutes.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes ½ cup taco seasoning (without salt or cornstarch). Assuming 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat, the full recipe as written is enough taco seasoning for 4 pounds of ground meat.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place and use within 6 months. Double batches are fine if you make tacos regularly, but don’t mix up more than you’ll reasonably use in 6 months.
  • Smoky: Substitute smoked paprika for the regular if you love that flavor. Chipotle chili powder can bring a similar smoky flavor and a pile of spicy heat with it, so tread carefully if you’re spice-wary.
  • More spices: Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, and black pepper if any of those sound good to you. Red chili flakes are great if you like heat.
  • Ground Turkey Tacos: Ground turkey shows up where you least expect it, in the Best Turkey Tacos you’ve ever had. This recipe has a few tricks up its sleeve to make sure every bite is juicy and perfectly seasoned. 
  • Ground Chicken Tacos: These easy Ground Chicken Tacos are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and perfect for hectic weeknights. They are also lightning fast, ready in about 15 minutes.
  • Taco Dip Recipe: If you have 10 minutes, you have plenty of time to classic Taco Dip, the best-ever layered Mexican dip that’s loaded with your favorite toppings and perfect for parties. 
  • Taco Roll Ups: Take taco dip on the road with my easy Taco Tortilla Roll Ups recipe. This make-ahead appetizer idea will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds).
  • Taco Soup Recipe: Bring this easy, delicious Taco Soup Recipe to life with ground beef and pantry staples in just 30 minutes. It’s Midwest-meets-Tex-Mex in this fusion cult favorite.
  • Dorito Taco Salad: Inspired by Midwestern-classic “walking tacos,” my crowd-pleasing Dorito Taco Salad is fully loaded with taco-seasoned beef, cheese, fresh vegetables, and nacho cheese chips.
  • Stuffed Tomatoes: These taco-flavored Stuffed Tomatoes make a perfect, unfussy end-of-summer meal, when the nights are still hot and good tomatoes are plentiful. This easy low-carb recipe comes together in under half an hour, all in one skillet, using ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and then loaded up with your favorite toppings like lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream.
Taco stuffed tomatoes on a white platter.
Taco Stuffed Tomatoes make a perfect, unfussy end-of-summer meal, when the nights are still hot and good tomatoes are plentiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much homemade taco seasoning equals a store-bought packet?

For this homemade blend, 2 tablespoons seasoning is equivalent to one packet of store-bought.

How do you thicken taco meat?

This blend has cornstarch as an optional ingredient to thicken your tacos. Arrow root is another gluten-free thickening agent. Standard all-purpose flour works to thicken taco meat, too.

More great recipes to try

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Taco seasoning in a glass jar with a blue napkin around it.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Make this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe in minutes with just a handful of common pantry spices. It's cheaper and tastier than store-bought taco seasoning, and you can easily customize it any way you want to.
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 8 tablespoons
Course Pantry
Cuisine American
Calories 35
5 from 16 votes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste (I like 2 teaspoons). Whisk in cornstarch if desired. Store in a cool dark place for up to 6 months.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Cayenne pepper: Feel free to eliminate this if you don’t like spice or are feeding children. Increase it if you crave the heat! Or substitute red pepper flakes.
  2. Cornstarch: This is a gluten-free thickening agent found in many store-bought packets. It’s optional here, so add it if you want to.
  3. Yield: This recipe makes ½ cup taco seasoning (without salt or cornstarch). Assuming 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat, the full recipe as written is enough taco seasoning for 4 pounds of ground meat.
  4. Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place and use within 6 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 tbspCalories: 35kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 125mgPotassium: 202mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2746IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 3mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

  1. I have made most of your recipes all of my life, but never measured anything. I am so glad to finally have the correct measurements. Your recipes are delicious. Thank you so much for sharing.

    1. You’re so welcome, Jean! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for trusting my recipes! – Meggan

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